Before asking “What is passion week?” it’s helpful to consider what a typical busy week looks like.
I say it all the time—
“There just aren’t enough hours in a day.”
I cram so much into my week, trying to get everything done. And, at the end of most weeks, I feel like I’ve been spinning my wheels.
You can probably relate.
In spite of all my best efforts, I just can’t squeeze in everything I’d planned to do. My days are filled with distractions. Even in a world crawling slowly out of a pandemic, there are phone calls to make. Bills to pay. Appointments to keep. And the grocery store trip that took way too long.
So, when I ask “What is passion week?” the answer startles me.
WHAT IS PASSION WEEK?
Passion Week (also called Holy Week) includes everything that happened in the life of Jesus Christ in the week preceding His resurrection.
In seven days, the following are some of the most recognized events of Passion Week:
Jesus’ triumphal entry in Jerusalem (cue palm branches)
The cursing of the fig tree
The cleansing of the Temple
Answering religious leaders
Anointing with oil by Mary of Bethany
Celebration of Passover
Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane
Jesus’ arrest
The trials
Peter’s denial
The Crucifixion
And that doesn’t include all the teaching, ordinary meals, conversations, and required sleep!
On our calendar, Passion Week begins the Sunday before Easter (Palm Sunday), which marks Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem. And it ends with Easter Sunday, the day of Jesus’ glorious Resurrection.
PASSION WEEK WASN’T A SURPRISE TO JESUS
It’s important to note that Jesus didn’t arrive in Jerusalem and then get randomly drug into all the events of Passion Week.
Actually, He made many preparations ahead of time.
In other words, Jesus went to Jerusalem willingly.
He was calling the shots.
He was determined, clear-minded, and never gave way to distractions.
Jesus entered Jerusalem to get to the Cross. He travelled a 17-mile stretch to get there, and then climbed 3000 feet of elevation.
Looking at all the events of Passion Week up close makes the week appear chaotic.
From the entrance in Jerusalem with crowds of noisy people, the cleansing of the temple, questions from religious leaders, the betrayal of Judas, the Passover, trials, denials, and the Crucifixion, it all appears to be a big mess.
But it wasn’t.
Instead, the events of Passion Week fit God’s perfectly orchestrated plan for the salvation of mankind.
The Cross wasn’t man’s idea. It was God’s.
That’s why Jesus was on a single-minded mission.
He was going to the Cross.
And nothing could distract, delay, or deter Him.
PASSION WEEK DEMONSTRATES A NEED FOR FOCUS AND URGENCY
Passion Week culminated not at the Cross, but at the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
No matter how chaotic the events of Passion Week looked, Jesus trusted His Father’s perfect will. He knew God’s plans were good and His timing was perfect.
By contrast, my life is filled with excuses.
Woulda.
Coulda.
Shoulda.
In all my busy-ness, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most.
God has given each of us not only an opportunity, but a mandate to influence the world for Christ. That’s why it makes me shudder to think how much of my life has been wasted simply because I let good things get in the way of God’s best things.
As I view the unfolding events of Passion Week, I’m compelled to ask God to help me live with a deeper sense of urgency. With an awareness that my opportunity to be a part of His eternal plan has a timeline with an expiration date.
Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered—
how fleeting my life is.Psalm 39:4 New Living Translation
And I’m asking Him to remind me of what gives my life eternal purpose.
But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
Praise Jesus for His unflinching resolve to make it to the Cross! Nothing distracted Him. No one got in His way. “The Cross is the central event in time and eternity, and the answer to all the problems of both” (Oswald Chambers).
Hallalujah! He has risen!
